Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US

DEPARTS 3:00 pm

"Shimmering blue waters, swaying palm trees and soft ocean breezes greet you in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where you'll find yourself somewhere between laid-back island time and the fast pace of a thriving city. In this sun-filled, year-round beach town, pristine beaches are the main attraction, shorts and flip-flops are the daily uniform, and yachts are often the preferred form of transportation. It's a place where you can do as much, or as little, as you desire. Because of its many canals and waterways, Ft. Lauderdale is sometimes called the Venice of America. It's home to the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, one of the largest in-water boat shows in the world. Visitors can easily get a taste of the area's nautical lifestyle by cruising the Intracoastal Waterway on an old-fashioned paddle wheeler. Other options include hopping aboard one of the popular water taxis or Venetian gondolas that glide down the historic New River, which flows right through town. "

Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal

ARRIVES 8:00 am   DEPARTS 5:00 pm

"More than the archipelago’s capital and administrative hub, Ponta Delgada is an ambassador of the Azores to the world. Embellished with lacy iron balconies, the 17th-century architecture of whitewashed walls is framed by the local volcanic basalt. Hydrangeas and grazing cows add splashes of color to the evergreen background. Ponta Delgada presents itself as a gateway to discovering the Big Island of São Miguel and the best of the Azores on one island. One of the top places to see is Furnas, where you can find natural hot springs that will cook your lunch, as well as Gorreana Tea Factory, the only tea plantation in Europe. Another popular destination is Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lagoon) with its impressive volcanic landscapes, and Ribeira Grande, a picturesque fishing village where time seems to stand still. São Miguel is also known for pineapples, so trying this fresh fruit, either from a local market or from a roadside vendor, is a must."

Brest, France

ARRIVES 10:00 am   DEPARTS 6:00 pm

Brest is Brittany’s second largest administrative centre, and has a great deal to offer. Although it was heavily bombed in 1944, this is by no means the town’s most interesting feature: it has rebuilt itself around a vision of the future, with incredible constructions like the Pont de l'Iroise bridge, which crosses the river Elorn. An amazing feat of architecture, this magnificent cable-stayed bridge was opened in 1994. Admire it from Albert Louppe bridge, which is for pedestrians and cyclists only. It’s a great place to take a walk and enjoy the view of the famous Brest harbour, the ‘Rade de Brest’, a sheltered area of the sea big enough for great ships to lie at anchor.

Portland (Weymouth), England, United Kingdom

ARRIVES 9:00 am   DEPARTS 5:00 pm

"Portland and the nearby town of Weymouth sit on the south coast of England in Dorset County near the area's beautiful beaches. From here, visitors can wander on Chesil Beach or venture further afield to explore some of the most interesting sights of the British countryside. Outdoorsy types will enjoy walking along the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see natural arches, cliffs and fossils spanning 180 million years of geological history. Those fascinated by the life of the English aristocracy may prefer a visit to the fabulous Minterne House and Gardens, home to the Digby and Churchill families for 350 years. Portland is also a good jumping-off point to see Stonehenge, one of the world’s most recognizable ancient structures, shrouded in mystery and likely already on your must-see list. Other sites that will appeal to British history buffs are Sherborne Castle, built by Sir Walter Raleigh and housing his family artifacts, and the unusual Cerne Abbas Giant. At the end of your day exploring, we recommend a stop at the 500-year-old Black Dog Pub back in Weymouth for a pint of local cask ale. "

Le Havre (Paris), France

ARRIVES 7:00 am   DEPARTS 7:00 pm

"When you arrive in Le Havre, France, opportunities to tour the attractions of the Normandy countryside await as soon as you leave your ship, while the sights of Paris are only 2.5 hours by high-speed train. Omaha Beach is 124 kilometers (77 miles) away and a visit there can be combined with one to the medieval town of Bayeux, home to a famous tapestry depicting the Norman Conquest. Closer to Le Havre is the Château du Breuil, a family-owned calvados distillery that gives tours and tastings in English (call ahead to check the times). Just across the Seine is the town of Honfleur, its Old Port lined with restaurants, shops and 300-year-old houses. The great medieval city of Rouen, where Joan of Arc was tried for heresy, is also easily reached by train (and deserves a full day of sightseeing and exploration). If you want to make the journey to Paris, the TGV leaves early in the morning and takes you from Le Havre to Gare du Nord in the heart of the city. From there, you can spend the morning shopping on the Champs-Élysées, then have lunch in a restaurant with a view of Notre Dame or the Trocadéro and stroll through the Jardin du Luxembourg or the Musée d’Orsay. A full day of things to do in Paris can include a dinner cruise on the Seine before catching a late-evening train back to Le Havre. "

Dover (London), England, UK

ARRIVES 8:00 am   DEPARTS 5:00 pm

As Britain's historic gateway to Europe, Dover and its famous white chalk cliffs have been the last glimpse of England seen by many a sea traveler over the centuries. When the Romans arrived, they erected a lighthouse to mark the coastline. One of the mightiest medieval castles built in Europe still stands atop those cliffs. Utilized by the British High Command to direct the evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940, the tunnels remained a military secret until recently. Dover is a convenient starting point for touring England's scenic southeastern region.

Rotterdam, The Netherlands

ARRIVES 7:00 am   

The Netherlands' second-largest city and Europe's busiest port is home to some of the 20th and 21st centuries' most important architectural feats, which is particularly impressive when you consider that nearly all of Rotterdam was razed to the ground during World War II. Sometimes referred to as “Manhattan-on-the-Maas,” the city lives up to its reputation as a forward-looking metropolis with fascinating design and some of the Netherlands' finest museums and most trendy shops.

Marvel at buildings by starchitects Rem Koolhaas and Norman Foster or get lost in the maze of gabled homes in historic Delfshaven, the point from which the Pilgrims set sail for the New World aboard the Speedwell in 1620. In the postwar years, Rotterdam has also become one of the most diverse cities on the continent as waves of migrants from elsewhere in Europe, North Africa and Turkey have come to work in the shipping industry, concentrated here thanks to the city's location on the deltas of the Rhine and Maas rivers. With its sweeping harbor and massive Europoort, the city has quickly grown to become the largest port in all of Europe.